From Gratitude to Giving: Sponsor a Child in Guatemala

As we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s a time to reflect on how much God has given us AND how we can give to others.

As you may know, epikos has a long term partnership with two villages in Guatemala. We send teams of people from epikos each year to help the people in these communities and demonstrate the love Christ. Because there are only a couple hundred people in each village, we are able to have long term relationship with the families we serve.

But, you don’t need to travel to Guatemala to make an impact! Consider sponsoring a child. There are a number of children available to sponsor and you can choose one of these special children to sponsor and develop a relationship with through exchanging letters of encouragement. You can even visit your child if you choose to go to Guatemala when we work with the village.

Child Sponsorship Packets will be available after services on Sunday, Nov. 29th and Sunday, Dec. 6th.When you sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry, you join FH in walking with that child—along with the child’s family and community—as they move from struggling to thriving. Through consistent monthly support, letters and prayers—you and your sponsored child build a relationship that makes a lasting difference. There is more information about the program below.

WHO IS FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY? Since 1971, Food for the Hungry (FH) has helped communities, by the power and grace of God, to achieve sustainable, lasting transformation in poverty-stricken communities around the world. FH is more than a relief and development organization. It is a tested, trusted and innovative partner, walking with the poor globally in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPONSOR A CHILD? The cost is $35 per month. The donation is tax-deductible.

WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY? FH exceeds the standards of several watchdog groups, including the National Charities Information Bureau, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, Accord and others. FH also consistently receives high ratings from charity evaluators such as Charity Navigator.

WHAT MAKES FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY’S CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM UNIQUE? FH’s sponsorship strategy is to equip communities to care for children. They work with families, the local church and the leadership of the community to meet the needs of the children. They focus on long-term solutions – strengthening and transforming the families and communities in which the children live. Your monthly pledge will help meet the critical needs of the child you sponsor, as well as other children in the community. The local FH staff develops specific plans in each community that address the needs of the children and their families. These programs focus on health and nutrition, livelihoods (economic development within the community), education and disaster risk reduction. Their strategies for implementing these four interventions are Family Development, Church Development and Leadership Development. When the four areas are addressed simultaneously, there is a drastic increase in the well-being of children in the community.

DOES MY MONEY GO TO MY CHILD’S FAMILY? FH’s mission is to develop families and communities so that they will work together to advance toward their God-given potential. As such, your donations are never given directly to your sponsored child or family. This would promote an unhealthy dependency and we could not assure you that your money is being put to good use. Rather, the FH field staff manages your contributions to carry out the mission of our Child-Focused Community Transformation Program, which equips the community to care for children. Your sponsored child and his/her family receive the benefits the program offers through your support – all toward the goal of bringing about transformation in their lives and in the community.